Average Settlement in a Pennsylvania Car Accident Case
Car accidents are behind thousands of life-changing injuries every year. They cause an immense amount of physical and emotional trauma, as well as expensive medical costs and vehicle damage. In the aftermath of a car crash, you are likely wondering how much your case is worth. However, it’s important not to base your case on a perceived average.
How Much Is a Pennsylvania Car Accident Case Worth?
Evaluating a car accident case is a complicated process that requires an analysis of a victim’s specific circumstances for an accurate answer. Settlement values vary wildly from case to case. This is why, though you may find average amounts listed online, you should not use these to estimate your case value.
The “average” settlement in Pennsylvania is around $20,000 according to online research, but this number can be highly misleading for individual motorists. Real-life case results can range from several thousand dollars to multiple millions. For example, Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. recently achieved a car accident settlement of $15.6 million for a client.
Case values depend on factors such as how severely the victim was injured. If the victim suffered a severe injury that will affect him or her for life, the case could be worth a significant amount to account for future necessary care. Some cases may benefit not from settling at all, but from proceeding to trial for a jury verdict instead. Highly variable case values make it impossible to calculate an accurate average.
What Damages Are Available in a Pennsylvania Car Accident Case?
Rather than using an average, calculate the value of your particular claim by adding up all of your compensable losses. State law provides an opportunity for car accident victims to seek economic and noneconomic damages to be made whole again.
The financial compensation you may be entitled to receive for a car accident claim in Pennsylvania includes:
- Past and future necessary medical care, including surgeries, treatments, physical therapy, rehabilitation and prescription medications.
- The price to repair your damaged motor vehicle, or the full pre-crash value of your car if it is damaged enough to be deemed a total loss.
- Lost wage replacement from days taken off of work in the aftermath of the crash, or lost capacity to earn for a long-term disability.
- Compensation for permanent damages, such as loss of an important bodily function or significant scarring or disfigurement.
- All pain, suffering, anguish, emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the car accident and your injuries.
In car accident cases involving gross negligence or recklessness, such as drunk driving, additional punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the defendant.
Maximize Your Case Outcome With Help From an Attorney
No matter what your car accident case is worth, you can achieve the best possible result by hiring a car accident attorney in Pittsburgh to represent you. An attorney can accurately determine the value of your claim. Your lawyer will know whether it is in your best interest to accept a settlement, negotiate for a higher amount or go to trial in pursuit of justice. A lawyer can use aggressive negotiation tactics to secure optimal case results on your behalf.
Find Out How Much Your Car Accident Case Is Worth | Contact Us
Our highly skilled and experienced injury lawyers in Pittsburgh have handled a wide range of accident cases. Every car accident case is unique. What one person receives as a car accident settlement may vary drastically compared to another person. The only way to get an accurate depiction of how much your specific case could be worth is by having a conversation with a qualified car accident lawyer in Pennsylvania. Contact Dallas W. Hartman P.C. for a free consultation.